“On KABC radio this morning the host was talking to another and they had both priced solar and agreed the cost was $30,000 to $40,000. The host has a 2,000sq/ft home.”
I think solar doesn’t work out financially because the initial investment is pretty high relative to the savings (which is related to cost of traditional fossil fuel and nuclear power). And the end value for a solar panel installation is not zero, but negative, because you have to pay for the panels to be removed, or put up with unsightly non-functional panels permanently on display. Whereas other home renovations like remodeled kitchens or swimming pools usually have some positive end value.
The state subsidizes solar as it does not pay otherwise to use. Sounds great in theory but too expensive in practice.
That is one of the reasons the electric rates are so high in Calif, around .18/kw vs 6 to 9 cents most everywhere else. The other reason is to pay for the pensions.